NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
31 Aug 2006

KIPONA DRAG BOAT & CANOE RACES CANCELLED, BARGES BEING REMOVED

While 98% of the multitude of Kipona activities are set to unfold this weekend, Mayor Stephen R. Reed today reported that projected Susquehanna River level rises coming this weekend, as a result of expected major rainfall in a large part of the river basin, have resulted in a decision by the drag boat and canoe race sponsoring organizations to cancel their respective races that were set for the Kipona Festival on Saturday, September 2, and Monday, Sept. 4. All of Kipona’s other events and activities are occurring as scheduled, though some are being relocated to other areas of the waterfront.

“Nearly everything originally set for Kipona will still take place. Several activities are being moved to new sites. No one should get the idea that there will not be much to see and do at Kipona because the exact opposite is the case. Over 200 vendors, rides, exhibits, tournaments, concerts and other events are set to go as scheduled,” Reed said.

While no river flooding is expected, an increased river elevation makes boat racing too dangerous and, for safety reasons, racers cannot run.

Further, the barges placed on the eastern shoreline of the river below Riverfront Park must be removed as they will be swamped by rising river water. Kipona river events that would otherwise use the barges, primarily for judging, are being moved to other locations.

Reed said decisions on whether to cancel the Bass Fishing Tournament and the Rubber Duck Regatta will be made tomorrow, after updated precipitation forecasts and river level projections become available.

Other changes made necessary by the impending storm include the relocation of Saturday’s Breath of Nature Karate Tournament from Skyline Sports Complex to the Carousel Pavilion on City Island, and the Saturday and Sunday Funtastik Footbag Tournament has been moved to Riverfront Park at Front and Forster Streets.

The Kipona Festival occurs, rain or shine, from Saturday to Monday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Monday, and Noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. The grand fireworks display remains scheduled for Sunday evening at 8:35 p.m. The raindate for the fireworks is Monday night, Labor Day, at the same time.